Category Archives: Gift Ideas

For this month’s free tutorial project, we are going mini. A super cute and super sweet little quilt, this Dolce Doll Quilt was designed with EQ Mini Software by The Electric Quilt Company . It uses a Vertical strip layout with an inserted pieced two by two block add a little pizzazz. Stitched with bright aqua, fuscia and light pink solids, the quilting takes center stage to make this delightful quilt. Even a simple design like this can be a showstopper and a sweet gift for a little one’s baby doll.

EQ Mini is the new scaled down, simpler version of EQ7 quilt design software. This program was created for quilters who are just getting started using software for quilt design. EQ Mini will help you create, edit, share, and print patterns and yardage for your quilt designs.

When I designed this little quilt, I used a vertical strip layout, but to be able to add the pieced row of blocks, I had to add a pieced strip. But when I did the assembly, I did not want to cut out all those blocks, so I just did the math and cut strips.

Dolce Doll Quilt

Finished size is 18″ x 24″.

Materials

3/8 yd Aqua

1/4 yd Pink

1/4 yd Fuscia

7/8 yard fabric for backing and binding

20″ x 26″ piece of batting

Directions

Cut Fabric:

From each fabric, cut:

2 — 3 1/2″ x 15 1/2″ strips

2 — 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ strips

16 – 1 1/4″ x 2″ rectangles

From aqua fabric

3 — 2″ x WOF strips for binding

Make Blocks

Stitch 8 pairs of each color of the 1 1/2 x 2″ rectangles

Arrange the pairs to make two – 2×2 blocks using the color scheme above.

Sew the short 3 1/2″ strip of the remaining color to the top of each block.

Sew the long 3 1/2″ strip of the remaining color to the bottom of each block.

Sew the rows of blocks together.

Make a quilt sandwich with the backing face down, then the batting, then your quilt top face up.

Pin baste the quilt layers together.

Quilt as desired. I did an allover circle design on the top half, a flower design in each pieced block and feathers for the lower strips.

Sew the 2″ binding strips together and add to the quilt.

Finish the binding and you are done!

This would be a simple quilt to use three coordinating prints or other solid colors. It really sews up together fast and would make great holiday gifts. I would love to see your Dolce Doll quilt, tag me on instagram @lorimillerdesigns.

This little sweet Baby Quilt with the Raccoon Bandit has been published in Fons and Porter’s Easy Quilts Summer 2017 Magazine. I am happy to share this cozy little cutie with you.

My girlfriend called to say she had received her newest issue and had found my original pattern. It is always a nice surprise since you make your quilt months in advance for the Magazine and have to wait for the published issue to arrive.

I used EQ7 to design this quilt. I was able to upload swatches of the actual fabric I was going to use and get a good idea of what the quilt would look like. Northcott Fabrics generously provided the material which was a gorgeous, heavy weight flannel. I used prints from TeePee Time by Deborah Edwards that had a super cute little raccoon in the design and I coordinated with Toscana flannels also by Deborah Edwards that has a nice mottled look that blends well with the prints. These sewed and washed up beautifully and they have a very nice hand feel.

For this quilt, because I had some interesting piecing directions I wanted to try, I made a prototype quilt. And I made him super modern, a blue raccoon!

I print out the rotary cutting directions from EQ7 and then I adjust them based upon how I want to assemble the quilt using my quilting knowledge. I like to avoid bias edges and make things as easy as possible to assemble. So I write up all my notes as I sew.

Here is my Baby Blue Bandit. It just gives you an idea of how by just changing colors, you can make lots of different styles from one pattern.

I used some simple constructions shortcuts to make this giant 20″ block even faster. There is only one template for the ears. I loved this cute little critter, I hope you enjoy making one too!

Love is all around. The free tutorial for this month designed with EQ Mini Software by The Electric Quilt Company is a lovely, Sweetheart Zip Pouch. Yes, you can design lots of quilty things with EQ Mini, even a pouch! This uses a horizontal row quilt as a base but we sized it down to pouch size and added some half drop blocks with a center heart. The heart block is one of the free blocks that comes with EQ Mini. This generous pouch is sized 8″ x 11″ and is ready for you to fill with all your Valentine goodies. A whole bag of chocolate would fit in there! The zipper is super easy to put in too, I promise.

EQ Mini is the new scaled down, simpler version of EQ7 quilt design software. This program was created for quilters who are just getting started using software for quilt design. EQ Mini will help you create, edit, share, and print patterns and yardage for your quilt designs.

Sweetheart Quilted Zip Pouch

Finished size is 8″ x 11″.

Materials

1/4 yd dark pink print

1/8 yd of light pink print

1/4 yd of grey background fabric

3/8 yd Lining fabric

3/8 yd batting

12″ zipper

Directions

Cut Fabric:

Light Pink

2 — 2 1/2″ x 3 3/4″ rectangle (A)

2 — 1 1/2″ x 5 3/4″ strip (C)

2 — 1 ” x 2″ zipper tab pieces

Dark Pink

4 — 1 1/2″ x 5 3/4″ strip (B)

2 — 2″ x 12 1/2″ strips (G)

1 — 6″ x 12 1/2″ rectangle (H)

Grey Background

2 — 5 ” square (D)

2 — 5″ square (E)

4 — 3 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangles (F)

Muslin

1 — 13″ x 21″ rectangle

Lining

2 — 12 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ rectangles

Piece the outside of the pouch

Hint: Because you need to match seams, be sure to keep an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance.

Subcut the 5″ background squares (D), diagonally into quarters.

Subcut the 3″ background squares (E), diagonally in half.

Sew the quarter (D) Triangle to the right side of the light pink rectangle(A).

Sew the light pink strip (C) in the center of each dark pink strip (B).

Attach the top of the heart to the bottom of the heart keeping the left sides even.

Sew the background triangles (E) to each side of the bottom of the heart. Be sure to overlap at the bottom point so that you have a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Now sew two of the remaining background triangle (D) pieces to the top right and left sides of the heart. Start stitching at the top points of the heart. Press. Discard leftover piece.

Center and trim the heart block to 6 1/2″ square.

Make the second heart block.

Sew a background rectangle (f) to each side of the heart.

Sew one dark pink strip (G) to the top of each block.

Sew the dark pink rectangle (H) to the bottom of one heart block.

Sew the bottom of the other heart block to the other side of the dark pink rectangle (H). One heart is facing up, one is facing down.

Quilt the outside of the Pouch

Make a quilt sandwich with the muslin on the bottom, then the batting, then your pieced pouch top face up.

Finish the pouch

Move zipper pull to center of zipper. Using a ruler or cutting mat, align the tabs as shown.

Open the tab and sew on the center fold through the tab and zipper, ensuring the zipper teeth at the open end are aligned together. Backstitch again across the center through the zipper teeth to secure. Repeat on the other end of the zipper ensuring the tab placement and measurements.

Place the zipper face down, right sides together, along the top edge a heart section. Align the ends and the top of the zipper.

Layer a lining piece, right side down over the zipper and pin all three layers in place.

Using a zipper foot, stitch approximately 1/4″ from the edge of the zipper. When you get to the zipper pull, stop with the needle down in the fabric. Lift up the presser foot and gently open or close the zipper to move the zipper pull out of the way to continue sewing across the top of the pouch.

Open the zipper seam and press pouch and lining away from zipper. Top stitch through all layers of fabric close to the zipper.

Repeat for the other side of the zipper.

Open the zipper all the way so you will be able to turn the pouch right side out.

Open the pouch and match the quilted heart sections and lining sections, right sides together.

Pushing the zipper to the lining side, stitch the sides of the pouch and lining. Stitch the bottom of the pouch. Stitch the bottom of the lining leaving a 3-4 inch opening for turning.

Pinch the bag and lining corners aligning the seams and stitch across the opening to box the corners.

Turn the bag right side out with the lining hanging out. Tuck in the raw edges and stitch the lining closed.

Tuck the lining inside the bag and you are finished.

Here you can see the fun fabric I used for the inside lining. It was in the bargain bin off season and I snapped it up. I think it is perfect for this little zip pouch.

Oreo decided to direct the photo shoot. He is pretty demanding.

Variation Suggestions

Use traditional red and white with a pink accent.

Try using sweet valentine seasonal prints and fill them with sweet treats and goodies.

This Sweetheart quilted Zip Pouch is so versatile. It would certainly make the perfect gift for a dear friend or family member. I would love to see your Sweetheart Pouch, tag me on instagram @lormillerdesigns.

I enjoy making handmade gifts for the holidays to give to family and friends. Some years they are elaborate and some years, well, they are quick and easy. It depends on how busy I have gotten with projects to finish. I have put together a round up of my free tutorials to make diy holiday gifts. They range from super easy to confident beginner, from quick to more involved. I even share a few of my for sale holiday patterns at the end if they should perk your interest. I hope you will be inspired to try some homemade gifts this year. Just CLICK on the picture for all the details.

Holiday Yo Yo Ornament

Create fun holiday yo-yo ornaments for a homemade gift for a teacher, music instructor or bus driver. A nice sewing craft for older children to learn some basic sewing skills, even how to sew a button. You can make it even faster with some hot glue at the finish. Plan an afternoon to put these together for holiday gifts or your own homemade decorations.

Tissue Holder

Here is a cute quick gift you can stitch up in multiples for holiday party favors, stocking stuffers or just a little something for someone special. I used holiday and Christmas fabric but you could tailor them for boys or girls with masculine prints, sporty fabric or another cute novelty print. There is really very little sewing so it is perfect for a beginning stitcher. It doesn’t take much fabric either, so use up some of your scraps or stash.

Easy Holiday Fleece Pillows

Here are a couple of ideas for some last minute holiday gifts to stitch. You probably have a stash of fleece somewhere in your sewing room from a sale 3 years ago, if not, find yourself a couple of remnants and get sewing. Cotton works fine too. These are some clever and creative pillows for big and little kids to enjoy. They stitch up in a snap so they are quick and easy for a beginner to make.

Upcycled Christmas Card Bookmarks

I received one of these upcycled Christmas card bookmarks as a little gift and it is just too clever not to share. This bookmark is an ingeniously folded old christmas card. I took it apart to figure out the pattern and I am gladly spilling its simple but intricate secrets. Make a bunch for stocking stuffers, for an afternoon craft with the kids or to mail to friends far away for the holiday.

Holiday Table Runner

Here is a free tutorial for a project designed with EQ Mini Software by The Electric Quilt Company. This Holiday Table Runner uses one of the built in blocks colored with traditional Christmas colors to create a lovely item for your home decor. Just make three simple blocks to quilt up a beautiful center piece for your table.

Paper Snowflake Garland

Here in Michigan, we manage to get our own share of snow. I would much rather deal with these paper snowflakes from inside my warm and toasty house instead. And the plan is to sew them together into pretty garland, so you get a little sewing and fun mixed together. When did you last make a paper snowflake?

This would be a great afternoon activity with the kids to cut out snowflakes and drink some hot chocolate. You can even use up all that junk mail or scrap paper to make them. I love traditional white flakes, but you could mix them up with any color to make a very cool statement.

Patterns for Sale

Here are a couple of holiday patterns I have for sale in my shop. I hope you like them too.

Gingerbread House Pincushion, Ornament and More

This is my original pattern for a Gingerbread House Pincushion. I have even added bonus instructions to make it into a soft tree ornament or a Gift Card Holder to hang on your Christmas tree. This adorable holiday gift idea might look familiar. It was featured in Quilting Arts Holiday Magazine in 2014. It holds a special place in my heart because this was the very first original pattern that I had published in a Magazine.

Poinsettia Pop Throw Quilt

It is called Poinsettia Pop and it is a generous lap size to snuggle under when the weather turns cold. The bright and cheery poinsettia blocks dance across the quilt bringing cheer to whoever receives it. This quilt is made using large 15 inch finished blocks that stitch up quickly. You only need to piece seven Poinsettia blocks so you can whip it up in time for last minute gifts. I even included some speedy techniques to save you some time. The bright hot pink fabrics, text print background, and alternate grid pattern give this block a very modern look.

Mini Mitten Coasters

I am pleased to share my latest published work, mini mitten coasters! They are super cute, easy to stitch up and you can use some cute coordinating holiday prints or make them super scrappy with some leftover holiday fabric.

They are featured on page 34 of Modern Patchwork Gifts 2016. This is the third year I have been published in the holiday issue and I couldn’t be more thrilled.

I hope you found an idea you could use for some holiday gifts or just to make for yourself.

Here is another free tutorial for a project designed with EQ Mini Software by The Electric Quilt Company. This Holiday Table Runner uses one of the built in blocks colored with traditional Christmas colors to create a lovely item for your home decor.

EQ Mini is the new scaled down, simpler version of EQ7 quilt design software. This program was created for quilters who are just getting started using software for quilt design. EQ Mini will help you create, edit, share, and print patterns and yardage for your quilt designs.

Holiday Table Runner

Finished size is 12 1/2″ x 36 1/2″.

Materials

3/8 yd white cotton

1/8 yd green cotton

5/8 yd red cotton for blocks and binding

1/4 yd burgundy cotton

1/2 yard for backing

1/4 yard batting

Directions

Cut Fabric:

White cotton

24 — 2 7/8 ” squares

3 — 7 1/2 ” squares

Green cotton

12 — 2 7/8 ″ squares

Red cotton

15 — 2 7/8 ″ squares

3 — 2 1/2″ x Width of Fabric strips

Burgundy cotton

3 — 7 1/2 ” squares

Background fabric

1 — 14 1/2 x 38 1/2″ strip

Create the half square triangles

This method will create 8 half square triangles at once.

On the wrong side of the white 7 1/2″ square, mark the sewing and cutting lines. Mark from corner to corner and mark half and half as shown.

Stitch 1/4″ away from the diagonal line, on each side of the diagonal line. You can see the stitching in the X shape in the diagram above.

Cut the half square triangles apart on the marked lines.

Press the seams open and then square up the half square triangle blocks to measure 2 7/8″ square.

Sew the block:

Hint: Because you need to match seams, be sure to keep an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance and make sure blocks are square as you sew them to keep things in alignment.

Using the diagram above as a guide, arrange the pieces for your quilt block.

Sew the pieces together in rows, then sew the rows together, aligning seams.

Make three quilt blocks.

Sew the three blocks together in a row, aligning seams to finish piecing the top of the holiday table runner.

Make a quilt sandwich with the backing face down, then the batting, then your quilt top face up.

Pin baste the quilt layers together.

Quilt as desired.

Sew the 2 1/2″ binding strips together and add to the quilt.

Variation Suggestions

Try some custom quilting like I did on this table runner, the smaller size makes it easy to explore free motion quilting.

Try using holiday prints or even modern colors or even a blue color scheme to really change the look but still use the same block.

This Holiday Table Runner would look great on your table or make several to give as gifts this season. Why not look through the provided blocks in EQ Mini and find a favorite that you can turn into a table runner? There are so many possibilities. I would love to see pictures of your Holiday table runners. Just tag me on instagram @lormillerdesigns.

This tutorial introduces my first project designed with EQ Mini Software by The Electric Quilt Company. Made with pre-cut charm squares, this first easy beginner project is the Charming Baby Quilt. I am pleased to be blogging for Electric Quilt hosting EQ Mini Friday Fun and sharing how to design in EQ Mini. In addition, on my blog here, I will be sharing tutorials to take the design from idea to finished stitched project.

EQ Mini is the new scaled down, simpler version of EQ7 quilt design software. This program was created for quilters who are just getting started using software for quilt design. EQ Mini will help you create, edit, share, and print patterns and yardage for your quilt designs. I had the good fortune to beta test EQ Mini and I was very impressed with the easy flow and friendly beginner aspects of the software.

I love the colored step by step tabs that let you easily work to create and edit a design. And even though it is a Mini version of the Electric Quilt 7 software, it is still robust enough to offer a ton of design possibilities. It contains a block library of 300 pieced and appliqué blocks that can be set in 4 layout styles, there are 8 different border styles and a fabric library of over 3500 scanned fabrics to use to make your designs exactly how you want them. Thats my EQ Mini spiel! Let’s move on to the tutorial!

Sew:

Sew the 33 1/2″ inner border strips to the top and bottom of the center square. Press seams.

Take your charm squares and arrange them around the quilt until you get an arrangement you like.

Sew together seven squares for each side. Attach the sewn strips of seven squares to each side of the quilt center unit. Press seams.

Sew together the remaining nine squares for the top and bottom of the quilt. Attach the sewn strips of 9 squares to the top and bottom of the quilt center unit. Press seams.

Your quilt top is pieced. Yay!

Prepare the quilt backing. You may need to piece part of the fabric on one side so that it is larger than your quilt top if needed.

Make a quilt sandwich with the backing face down, then the batting, then your quilt top face up.

Pin baste the quilt layers together.

Quilt as desired.

Here is my super secret method I used to mark this quilt. The smaller shapes were just smaller lids I found in the kitchen.

I tried quilting some large clamshells and stitched them with my walking foot. I like the rainbow look and it echos some of the designs in the charm squares.

Finally, add the binding. I used 2 1/2″ strips to make my binding. Here is the finished quilt in my sunroom, the lighter colors are dappled sunlight coming in the room.

Variation Suggestions

Mix it up and try a cute nursery print for the center and solid pre-cut 5″ squares for the outside.

Use that blank space in the center to personalize the quilt with baby’s name in embroidery or with applique letters.

This is a quick and easy baby quilt that you could easily put together in a diligent weekend. I really liked the idea of using a pack of charm squares that I already had in my stash. I would love to see pictures of your charming baby quilt. Just tag me on instagram @lormillerdesigns.

I love pincushions, all kinds and I have a bunch all around my sewing studio. I first saw a version of these pincushions at Quiltcon 2015. I was in Carolyn Friedlander’s class and behind me on a table sat a cute hexie pincushion. I found out later it belonged to Nicole Daksiewicz from Modern Handcraft. (She has some amazing hexagon quilt projects, check them out on her blog!) I discovered that she had a Hexie Pincushion tutorial and I wanted to make one for myself. She used a die cutting machine to cut out all those cute 1/2 inch hexies. I bought a bunch of wool felt and decided I would cut them out by hand. Fast forward to December 2015 and my hubbie gifted me a Sizzix Fabi machine and that little 1/2 inch hexie die. I decided to make some of those pincushions inspired by Nicole but I added my own twist. Here is how I made it.

First, here is my new Sizzix Fabi die cutting machine and the dies I received for my holiday gift. Isn’t it so cute? (Check out the cute storage bag I made for it too.)

I had several colors of wool felt and I ran them through the machine. I used a muffin tin to organize all of the colors of hexies.

I cut a 6 inch strip of a linen blend.

I folded the fabric in half with the fold at the bottom. Then I used a 60 degree triangle and positioned it so that the top and sides measured 3 1/2 “. This is an old Kay Wood ruler that I had. I am thinking I really need to update some of my rulers, but this one still worked.

When you open up the fabric, you have a nice large hexie shape. I fold it to mark the center and then iron out the fold lines.

Then, using some fabric glue stick, I arrange the hexies in a sort of circle shape.

Once the shapes are all arranged, I get a piece of scrap batting and start to quilt.

First you stitch through the center of each little hexie starting at the edge of the big hexie. I like to use a large stitch and a walking foot to quilt this part.

Then you just keep quilting across the little hexies from point to point.

This shows the final quilting of the last corners of the little hexagons.

Here is a picture of one trimmed after the quilting. Now you are ready to stitch on the bottom of the pincushion.

Trim the excess batting from the top of the pincushion. Using the same method as the linen hexagon top, cut a coordinating bottom for the pincushion.

Stitch a 1/4″ seam all around the hexie leaving an opening for turning on one side. Trim the corners and turn right side out.

Tuck in the open sides and press.

I stuffed my pincushion with a bunch of batting scraps I had. You can stuff it with your favorite pincushion filling. Then just whip stitch the opening closed.

These would make great gifts or be a good project for a sewing group to stitch up together. Happy Sewing!